Weekly Emails

Thursday, May 28, 2020 / Erev Shavuot 5780 / 49th day of the Omer
 
Shalom Friends:
 
Judaism invites us to realize the full power of our holy days through extensive opportunity for mental, physical and / or spiritual preparation.  We prepare for Passover through the act of deeply cleaning our homes and exploring what enslaves us.  We prepare for the fall Season of Repentance using tools both ancient and modern that foster introspection and relationship healing.  We prepare for Shavuot by counting seven weeks of seven days.  That may seem a little lackluster, but look again.
 
Counting is the most natural preparatory ritual humans engage in throughout our lives in anticipation of significant moments:  A wedding, graduation, childbirth, college acceptance.  Ancient Israel was primarily an agrarian society.  The designated holiday (Shavuot) to bring one’s first fruits to the Temple in gratitude for a successful harvest well launched was of ultimate importance.
 
When farming ceased to be the main “family business,” the focus of our 49-day counting shifted to the highly anticipated anniversary of reliving revelation at Mt. Sinai, (see photo above), coincidentally also seven weeks after the start of Passover.  Farming sustained the Israelites in Canaan.  Torah has subsequently sustained Jewish people scattered throughout the world for thousands of years, even during history’s darkest periods.  
 
This year on Shavuot (Friday, May 29), we will recognize an additional milestone.  It has been 77 days (7 x 11) since Friday, March 13 – the day most Americans made the personal commitment to shelter in place until this mysterious, potentially lethal, airborne virus known as COVID-19 can be better understood and managed.  Will there be a second wave?  A third?  As of Shavuot, the counting of days, weeks, number of cases and deaths continues to climb with no clear end in sight.
 
During this revelatory period of “counting,” the world will continue to experience indelible changes sure to chart the course of history for centuries.  This time of unprecedented global pandemic has set restart buttons on how we prioritize our time, conduct business, experience family, and so much more. 
 
God’s revelation began at Mt. Sinai thousands of years ago and continues to flow through the minds and hearts of those who continue to hold it sacred.  The wealth of “Torah” (Instruction) to be mined from the era of COVID-19 is sure to flower for decades.  May the life lessons we are learning every day elevate the memories of the more than 350,000 innocents who have already died worldwide so that they will not have perished in vain.  Hazak v’amatz - wishing you stregth and courage.
 
Hag Shavuot Sameah and Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Tilchin

 PLEASE NOTE: Shabbat Shalom at Home is taking a break this Friday night in honor of Shavuot. We invite you to find an OC congregation that you’d like to visit this Friday evening by clicking here.

COLLABORATIVE COMMUNITY SHAVUOT EVENTS:  

May 28 - 30

Thursday, May 28, 7:30 p.m. - 3:00 a.m.

Tikkun L’eil Shavuot: The Wisdom of Torah in Challenging Times
A Community Shavuot Learning Experience
Pre-registration required.  Click here to sign up.

Friday, May 29th 9:30 am
Shavuot Day 1 Morning Service

JCoOC, TBESOC and Temple Beth Sholom in Long Beach are proud to collaborate on this joyous Festival morning service.  Yizkor at 11:15am

Register HERE in advance for the service to receive the password.

Saturday, May 30th at 2:00pm (EDT)
TWELVE STEPS AND TORAH
Join Rabbis Marcia Tilchin and Ilan Glazer Rabbi for Shabbat afternoon. Torah study guided by Twelve Step wisdom.

Join on Zoom or call 949-402-8004 for more information.

Click here for flyer.

Saturday, May 30 from 6 - 9:00pm PDT

JCoOC, Na’or and Realize Paradise are thrilled to present
A SEUDAH OF SEPHIROT
A unique Collaborative Shavuot Program to Delight the Senses

Reservations required in advance. Click here to register.
Click here for additional information.

The Jewish Collaborative of Orange County innovates, supports and collaborates on community programming that enriches the landscape of OC Jewish life and encourages individuals, couples and families to connect their passions and purpose with Judaism.